A reader named Diane recently contacted Nudist Day, upset by “The Summer From Hell!”, a story contributed by Jerry Troeger, owner of Bonita Nudist Resort near Binghampton, New York, that recounts the events around the time he and his wife Annie purchased the club. Diane claims to represent other former members of the club and we publish her entire letter below as we’re a democratic publication and value our readers’ opinions. That said, Nudist Day does not take sides in such disputes, and Diane’s comments do not in any way reflect our opinions.

We, and a number of other former members of Bonita Nudist Resort, recently read the article “The Summer From Hell!” written by Jerry Troeger published on Nudist Day’s web site – and our collective jaws are still down to the floor. The article cannot go unanswered as it slaps the face of so many members who did so much backbreaking, and sometimes dangerous, work to help the Troegers realize their dream. The dream of becoming the new “caretakers” (a term of their choosing) of a truly beautiful, peaceful and unique setting that only Nature can provide.

Yes, the Troegers’ bought Buckridge Nudist Park and renamed it Bonita Nudist Resort and yes, there were a lot of upgrades needed and yes, Jerry fell from a tree and broke his ankle, but that is were fact ends and fiction begins. First, respect is certainly due to the previous owners as it is they who made Bonita what it is today. Cap & Carol Preston made many capital investments, constructing all of the camps current amenities including the hot tub (recent neglect risks its continued use) the petanque courts (now tracts of weeds), and the pool (which used to be open ALL the time and not by request). Except for 3 small windowless sheds currently being used as “cabins”, and some investments for required upgrades and maintenance the Troegers’ have not made any capital investments.

Second, the attempt at forming a co-op was hosted and ran by the Troegers. There were no red flags to be raised here – it was (amicably) obvious to everyone that this would not be a viable solution. I guess it should be mentioned here that the hosts of this meeting were constantly paranoid that the current owners had a spy hidden in the bushes listening to our every word – maybe he was right about the red flags!

Third, before the new caretakers could even think about opening their doors, there was a laundry list of items that needed to be addressed before a license would be issued. This list, that came only a few weeks before opening, was quickly made public to the many seasonal members who traditionally come to camp early to help with preparing their sites for the coming season. These members, without hesitation, took on not only the major projects on that list but also branch collection, raking and mowing of the entire camp, etc. I wonder why none of this was mentioned in Jerry’s article?

Ok, so now it’s a few weeks after the camp opens and Jerry mentions of a “meeting”. Here are some points to put some perspective on what was discussed prior to and at that meeting: The phone calls regarding the lack of water only started after repeated requests and a week without water; The calls were made at 5 am because the phone would constantly go unanswered during normal business hours; Their teenage children were not just in the office, they were at times, running it and yes – this is not appropriate; With SO many critically important things to attend to – like the office – maybe the garden shouldn’t have been a top priority. Also, according to the members that were at the meeting, although there were comments directed at Annie they weren’t racial slurs.

Continuing through Jerry’s article - The “phony complaints to the board of health” were far from phony. In fact Jerry, afraid to respond personally, offered incriminating information to another member who at great personal risk agreed to write letters to quell the situation. Furthermore, he was so paranoid that this member would try to do harm to his wife that several other members made special trips (some several hours away) to Bonita to make sure Annie was not alone when Jerry went to work.

“In all fairness, there were several members that took pity on us and did much to help and we thank them. But in some cases, there was a price tag on this too.” This is perhaps the statement that hurts the former members the most. When Jerry broke his ankle most of the members wanted and willingly jumped right in. They not only took care of the normal daily tasks, but also took on major projects. Not out of pity, but out of love for the park and the people that “live” there. One of the guys, who had done SO much for the park prior to and after Jerry & Annie bought the place, took on major electrical and plumbing projects worth thousands of dollars while his wife was always willing to help in the office and event planning. This same couple, former AANR officials, managed the snack bar offering many a mouthwatering meal. The price for THIS help? They were thought to be saboteurs and eventually told that they were not welcome at the park. The price to the rest of the members: An expanded dining area with a snack bar that was no more – unless you gave 24 hours notice that you wanted a hamburger or hot dog. The highest price here?: The loss of two of the most hardworking and fun members.

In all fairness, the water system is still plagued by problems, but maybe it’s because he insisted on using undersized pipe and not because of sabotage. The water system, by the way, was installed by the son of another member - a member who sustained a serious injury while performing HIS “pity” help. This injury was so serious that the member risked permanent disability. Fortunately after surgery and rehab he recovered - without seeking any retribution from Jerry. Here is some of the other help that so many members (both seasonal and associate) did for Jerry and the park: Drainage system at the lake, landscaping at the lake, help moving Jerry & Annie’s furniture from their previous house to their new residence. The price for this? - the loss of Fawn Hall, which used to be the camps only indoor social center. One member and his son constructed a staircase to connect the upper and lower level so that the Troegers had access to their kitchen and bathrooms without having to walk the outside perimeter of the building, while two other members took care of drainage problems to their new home. Other members converted the old game room into 2 rental rooms while still others helped with pool maintenance and so much more. Members gladly helped with the routine activities to run the camp since Annie had to drive Jerry’s tool truck so he could work while his ankle healed. Members did all of this not because they were asked but because they WANTED to – out of love not pity. The price here??? The trash dumpster was removed and members were told to take their trash with them many of whom stay for extended periods followed by a several hour (long) trip home. Hmmm… The red flags are really flying now.

Although this has already seemed like a lot for some people to read, this needed to be said. And, trust us, there is so much more that could have been added here. Perhaps the saddest of all is that the “troublemakers” that Jerry mentions in his article are the very same members that did all of this work. It seemed that the more a member did the more Jerry sought to drive them out. Is it any wonder that, without exception, we are now all former members?
So if there were lessons to be learned, they were learned by the members. As we have all moved on we take comfort in knowing that not all camp owners are like the Troegers. Bonita means beautiful and this tranquil place certainly lives up to its name but it’s not because of the Troegers, it’s in spite of them.